Assessing building information modeling implementation readiness in building projects in Singapore

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify critical non-value adding (NVA) building information modeling (BIM) implementation activities in current building project delivery process, develop a BIM implementation readiness (BIMIR) evaluation model, and assess BIMIR statuses in building projects in Singapore. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey and four post-survey interviews were conducted in Singapore. A fuzzy synthetic evaluation approach was adopted in the model development. Findings In total, 38 out of 44 NVA BIM implementation activities were deemed critical and used in the proposed model, among which “lack of involvement by contractors to contribute site knowledge” in the design development phase was ranked top. This model was validated in five projects. It was found that most of 73 surveyed building projects were in a low BIMIR status and the assessment results were consistent with current industry practices of BIM implementation in Singapore. Research limitations/implications There may be geographical limitation on the identification of the critical NVA BIM implementation activities. However, because BIM mandate spreads globally, the findings can help overseas project teams customize their own NVA activities and evaluation models. Practical implications As BIM implementation is mandated in Singapore, BIMIR evaluation helps local project teams identify weak areas of their BIM implementation activities and prioritize resources to enhance those areas. Originality/value No tool has been developed for evaluating BIMIR at the project level in the construction industry in Singapore or at large in Asia. Four BIMIR statuses are defined, which are consistent with Singapore’s BIM guidelines and standards.

Government efforts and roadmaps for building information modeling implementation: lessons from Singapore, the UK and the US

“…In Asia, Singapore shows great ambition in advancing mandatory use of BIM implementation. It pioneered the mandatory use of BIM in the building sector in 2012 and extended the mandate each year until 2015, making Singapore a typical successful country that adopts a government-driven approach to promoting BIM implementation (Yang and Chou, 2018; Liao et al , 2020). The Development Bureau in Hong Kong have also required BIM on capital work projects worth more than HK$30m since January 2018.…”

Diffusion of Building Information Modeling in Building Projects and Firms in Singapore

“…Zhao et al [18] assessed potential risks in BIM adoption in Singapore at the firm level and did not evaluate the project-level risks. Liao et al [6] assessed BIM implementation readiness in building projects in Singapore without identifying barriers to BIM diffusion.…”

“…Industry players initiate BIM adoption, prompting the government to make corresponding policies. In contrast with the US's bottom-up approach, a top-down approach is adopted in countries such as the United Kingdom and Singapore, where the governments are dominant forces in diffusing BIM adoption [5,6]. Cheng and Lu [7] observed that Singapore has issued the most (12 out of 35) BIM standards in Asia, and by far has been the only country that has mandated all new building projects (both public and private) with a gross floor area (GFA) of 5000 m 2 and above to submit building plans in BIM format since July 2015.…”

Evaluation of Complexity Issues in Building Information Modeling Diffusion Research

“…In addition, at the macro level, actual circumstances of BIM promotion policies, standards, and guidelines vary from one country or city to another. Some countries such as the United Kingdom and Singapore promote BIM using a top-down approach, whereas others tend to adopt a bottom-up approach [3,4]. An increasing number of governments encourage, specify, or mandate BIM adoption, especially in publicly funded building and construction projects [5], while others opt to adopt a wait-and-see attitude [3] or even see BIM adoption as an extra effort [6].…”

“…An increasing number of governments encourage, specify, or mandate BIM adoption, especially in publicly funded building and construction projects [5], while others opt to adopt a wait-and-see attitude [3] or even see BIM adoption as an extra effort [6]. Organizational readiness and practices and project characteristics may also be totally different in different projects [4]. Furthermore, project management practices in the context of COVID-19 vary in different countries.…”